Ask Amy: My dog had loose, slightly bloody stool

April 23, 2012

Q: Hey Amy, my dog walker just reported to me that my dog had loose, slightly bloody stool today. Do I need to rush him to the vet?

A: First of all, kudos to your dogwalker for reporting this to you. Usually, a dog with loose stool has just picked up something off the street that doesn’t quite agree with him. It is not typically a cause for concern seeing as how it can easily be remedied with a child’s portion of Pepto Bismol or Imodium AD. Also, switching to a starchy diet of rice with a bit of cooked chicken for a few days can help. However, when the stool contains blood and the condition persists for more than 24 hours, it could be a sign of IBS or more serious GI trouble. A vet should be consulted immediately. Encourage your dog walker to keep you updated about what happens on walks in the days to follow, and whenever something out of the ordinary occurs.

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We offer dog walking, pet sitting, and all kinds of pet care in Greenwich Village, the West Village, and lower parts of Chelsea. We have been walking New York City's dogs for a long time, and love it. So do they!